Philip Dampier's Blog

Covenants Part Two

A very small minority of modern day Christians are Jewish by race. Christians alive today are primarily Gentile by race. These Gentile Christians have no connection to the Old Testament Jewish system. They do not keep the Law nor do they abide by the words of the Old Testament prophets. This then begs the question, “Why do modern day Christians spend so much time studying the Law and the Prophets?” The Law and the Prophets were fulfilled by Jesus as He said himself. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:17-18)

Jesus accomplished all that was required to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. He said in John 19:30, “…It is finished.” This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he told the Colossians that Jesus brought forgiveness, “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside by nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14)

By removing the Old Covenant, Jesus was able to establish the New Covenant. The Hebrew writer tells us, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those that are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance…” (Heb. 9:15)

We cannot go back under the Law and Prophets because they no longer exist as a God given covenant. He replaced them with the covenant of Jesus’ blood. This is what Jesus told His disciples at the last supper. “…This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20 and 1 Cor. 11:25)

All Christians today live under the new covenant that was bought with the blood of Jesus. The Law and Prophets contain much information but it is all historical and does not apply to Christians today. What the Christian needs today is a complete understanding of the new covenant and any Christian would do well to spend as much time as possible studying the New Testament scriptures.

Task for Today: Spend your study time on the words of Jesus and the Apostles. Learn all you can about the gift of grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Spend time sharing this good news.